by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama visited Texas on Thursday to promote his economic agenda while urging supporters to pressure Congress into passing parts of it.

Federal education and research programs will help students acquire the skills needed to fill the well-paying jobs of the future, Obama told students at Manor New Technology High School near Austin.

Yet congressional Republicans have blocked some of his initiatives for "frankly political reasons," Obama said, and he told listeners: "Every once in a while, I'm going to need your help to lean on your elected representatives and say, 'Hey, let's do something about this.'"

He added: "Sometimes I'm going to need constituents to pressure their members of Congress to do the right thing."

The national economy is recovering, Obama said, and "we've cleared away the rubble of the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes - so we're poised for progress."

He said recovery is threatened, however, because Congress has balked at necessary investments in education and research.

Obama has criticized Republicans over the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration, saying they will gut necessary programs. The president has called for a "balanced" budget plan that includes both cuts and more tax revenues to be gained by closing loopholes that benefit the wealthy.

Congressional Republicans said higher taxes and proposed business regulations from the Obama administration are threatening to stall the economy.

The Austin trip kicked off what the White House is billing as a series of "Middle Class Jobs & Opportunity Tours," focused on growing cities and regions.

In addition to the technology high school, Obama visited a barbecue restaurant to talk with residents and toured a microchip company in Austin.

"I think the rest of the country can learn from what you're doing," Obama told the students and faculty at the school.

Texas is a mostly Republican state, and its two senators said that GOP state policies - not Obama's national plans - have produced the kind of job growth the president praised. After Air Force One landed in Austin, Obama was greeted by Texas GOP governor and former presidential candidate Rick Perry.

"America is stuck with high unemployment and low GDP growth, so it's encouraging to see the president coming to Austin to talk about jobs," said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "Perhaps he will learn how to create some from the folks who know how."

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he hopes Obama understands the role that "low taxes, reasonable regulations, and a business-friendly environment has in driving a Texas economy."

As part of his visit to Texas, Obama announced a new competition to create three new "Manufacturing Innovation Institutes," partnerships involving businesses, schools and government that can develop new industries and avenues for jobs.

Obama also said the economy will be helped by a new executive order requiring the government to make its data more easily available to business people, researchers and others.